These two, matching, butter pats are 3" square and weigh a substantial 2.5 T. oz. the pair. Made by Gorham, they are stamped with the company name and "lion, anchor, G" emblem, "Sterling," the model number "58," and date from about 1935.

They have 1/4" high, gadroon edges with a slight lip. The interiors are engraved "E.I.T" in block lettering.

Stamped with the model number "3315" along with the Gorham "lion, anchor, G" emblem, "Sterling," and date symbol for 1890, this sugar and creamer are breakfast or tete-a-tete size. The sugar stands 4" high to the top of the swing handle, and rises 2" from the 2" diameter rim base to the edge of the rim which is 3 3/4" across. It weighs approximately 3.4 T. oz.

The pitcher is 3 3/8" tall, 3" across to the handle tip, has a 1 1/2" rimmed base, and weighs 3.0 T. oz...

These four, matching save for size, drinking vessels are designed to fit one inside the other. They all are plain sided with curved bases and splayed tops with triple lined rims.

The largest is about the size of an American julep cup and stands 3" high and has a top diameter of 3 1/8". The smallest is 2 7/8" high and 2 7/8" in diameter. They have substantial heft, with the group weighing 13.3 T. oz., ranging from 3.6 T. oz. to 3.0 T. oz., largest to smallest...

Gorham catalogs either side of the turn of the twentieth century illustrate items similar to this 9" diameter, 3 1/2" piece and identify them as "berry bowls." They have brilliant cut glass bodies with applied sterling silver rims.

This example is model number "D453M" as imprinted on the edge of the rim. Other marks include Gorham's "lion, anchor, G" emblem, "Sterling," and a date symbol for 1903. The rim is plain save for a beaded edge where it abuts the glass.

Standing 3 3/8" tall to the top of the finial, 3 3/8" at the widest to the edge of the handle, and weighing just under 4.0 T. oz. this solid silver piece was made by Providence, Rhode Island's Howard Sterling Company and retailed by Boston's Shreve, Crump, & Low according to the identifiers on the underside. Other marks include "Sterling," "925/1000," "4522," and "Pat '93."

Catalogs of the period identify shorter versions of this form as mustard pots, and taller ones as horseradish. Common...

This jam jar is large, having a glass base that stands 3 1/2" to the rim, 5 3/4" to the top of the swing handle, and is 3" in diameter. Made by Hawkes, it is etched on the underside of the glass base with the company name and fleur-de-lis symbol. This repeats on the rim of the silver rim, which is also impressed with the word "Sterling," model number "1985," and "1/2," which could be a reference to its capacity.

The clear glass base is etched in a floral and swag with ribbons pattern. The...

A truly grand piece in scale, this water pitcher measures 7 3/4" tall to the tip of the spout, 8 1/2" at the widest, 6" in diameter at the thickest part of the body, and sits on a rimmed base that is 4 1/2" across. It it as substantial in weight as it is in scale, tipping out at 29.3 T. oz.

Its design and quality of manufacture are as impressive as its size. It was made by New York's highly regarded Dominick & Haff, whose three part emblem, embossed with the date 1894, appears on the under...

Model number "1815" as stamped on the underside, and having a date symbol for 1890, this 5" tall vase was made by Gorham, whose "lion, anchor, G" emblem and the word "Sterling" appears along with the other marks. If was originally offered as part of a desk set, according to a Gorham catalog of the period (see image 3).

The main body is 3" in diameter and sits on a rimmed base that is 2" across. The splayed, trumpet-shaped, neck is divided into two sections each bordered by beading. The lo...

According to the Chickering volume on Arthur Stone, the mark on this 5 3/8" top diameter, 2 1/4" tall, 7.1 T. oz., bowl was in use 1910-37. The craftsman's mark is a "C" which narrows these years as the possibilities for this are David Carlson, 1909-19, Magnus Carlberg, 1922-32, or a third unidentified person c. 1929.

This is a superbly well-crafted piece, in equally fine condition. The body is tapered with a slight splayed top edge that has an applied, double lined band on the outside. T...

Meriden Britannia had been a well-established company producing quality silverplate for half a century when it entered the sterling market with the purchase of Wilcox & Evertsen in 1895. Shortly thereafter the whole firm became a part of International Silver Company, but the use of the MB nameplate continued until about 1930.

This open dish likely dates from early in the 20th century. Contemporary catalogs identity the form as a mayonnaise bowl. It stands 3" at the highest, is 5 1/2" long...

Stamped "Tiffany & Co. Makers," "Sterling Silver," "925-1000," and with a lower case "m," this master salt was put into production in 1902 as indicated by the model number "15251."

This was a period when Tiffany made reproduction items or designs inspired by older, especially English Georgian, holloware, and that is the case with this piece. It is round, cauldron shaped, and stands on three pad feet with acanthus leaf sprays where the legs are attached.

According to Rainwater in "Encyclopedia of American Silver Manufacturers," "[Shreve & Co.'s] production focused on special order merchandise [which was] sold only through the firm's own retail shop."

An usual item, this 2" high, 3 1/2" top diameter, 4 1/2" maximum span, 2.9 T. oz., cup may have been one of those special order items. It is singular in design, and further distinguished by the blue cloisonne enameled band along the upper rim. Enamel work examples from Shreve are not readily f...

Measuring 6 1/2" in diameter, standing 1/2" high, and weighing 4.9 T. oz., this plate is marked with the emblem of the William B. Kerr Company of Newark, New Jersey. Additional marks include "Sterling," model number "5174-2," and the letters "H.M.D."

Kerr produced a smaller, 5 3/4" diameter, and lighter, version of this marked "5174-1" and both items were probably children's plates, although this larger one could be a bread and butter plate.

It is marked with the name and emblem for Theodore B. Starr of New York and dates c. 1900. Other marks include "Sterling" and the model number "1584." Starr had close business ties with Gorham, but whether this bowl traces to that source cannot be established with certainty.

What is certain is its quality. Art Nouveau in manner, it has a reticulated rim abundantly adorned with wild ros...